This
brochure, distributed by the Iowa ERA Coalition in 1980, appears to be one
of the most elaborate of the Coalition’s brochures in terms of production.
It is one of the few brochures both created and distributed by the Coalition
to use artwork: an ink drawing of an unhappy looking elderly woman, “Ruth,”
was displayed opposite the text. The brochure personifies some of the Coalitions
concerns for widow's, specifically widow's required to pay inheritance taxes
on family farms after the death of the husband. The brochure appeals to the
sympathies of Iowa voters including farmers and farmer's wives. The picture
of the elderly woman Ruth represents not only rural housewives, but other
homemakers affected by the death of a spouse. The brochure addresses the need
to assign an economic value to women's work within the home to protect the
family in the event of death or seperation.

This
is Ruth, 1973

Ruth
and her husband, Herb, bought and ran their farm. They worked side by side
and they worked hard. They both poured their sweat into this land.

But
the farm was in Herb’s name, and Herb died.

In
1973, that meant that Ruth had to pay inheritance tax on the whole farm
-- unless she could show records that she had put down her own hard
cash to help buy the place. Ruth couldn’t. She had never worked in town.
Her years of cooking and combining weren’t worth a nickel.

In
1974, the Iowa Legislature thought this was unfair. They changed the law.
This story can’t happen again . . . unless you let it happen!

Foes
of Iowa ERA want things the way they used to be. They have tried to change
the law back. Supporters of equality and fairness fought them and stopped
them -- this time.

Voting
“YES” to IOWA E.R.A. on November 4, 1980 means that you think the fight
should never happen again. Passing the IOWA E.R.A. says it won’t.

“To ensure that
the state shall not deny or restrict the
equality of rights under the law on the basis of gender.”